Studies on narrow sense heritability and heterosis for yield and yield contributing traits in baby corn (Zea mays L.)

An investigation was conducted to estimate narrow sense heritability and heterosis for yield, earliness, and quality traits in baby corn (Zea mays L.) across three locations: Rajendranagar, Jagityal, and Kampasagar. Seventy-five single cross hybrids, along with two standard checks (DMR-1142 and DMR-1144), were evaluated for thirteen traits, including days to 50% tasseling and silking, plant height, ear height, baby corn length and girth, cob weight, number of cobs per plant, cob yield per plant and per hectare, green fodder yield, and total soluble solids. High narrow sense heritability was observed for plant height (84.64%), green fodder yield (81.33%), cob yield per hectare (71.33%), baby corn length (68.98%), ear height (67.42%), and cob weight (57.86%), indicating predominance of additive gene action and effectiveness of selection for these traits. Moderate to low heritability was recorded for earliness and quality traits, suggesting a greater influence of non-additive gene action and environmental effects. Significant negative heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for days to tasseling and silking indicated potential for early-maturing hybrids, while positive heterosis was observed for cob yield per plant, cob yield per hectare, cob weight, and green fodder yield. Hybrids BML-5121 × CM-131, BML-5212 × BML-13, and BML-5121 × BML-6 showed superior heterotic performance over parents and checks. The study highlights the combined role of additive gene action and heterosis in developing high-yielding, early-maturing, and superior quality baby corn hybrids for commercial cultivation.